Firearm sling system

ABSTRACT

A sling system for use with a firearm, including a first strap system having a loop configuration and positionable around the neck of the user so as to be locatable generally adjacent a frontal region of the torso of the user; a second strap system having first and second ends and connectable to the firearm; and a connector interfacing between the first and second strap systems and configured to enable the rifle to be fixedly and releasably positioned in a plurality of orientations relative to the user.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to slings for firearms. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to slings for firearms which permitthe firearm to be adjustably positioned in a variety of orientations.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Slings are useful for facilitating the carrying of firearms,particularly when walking long distances. In such circumstances, a userwill often carry a backpack or the like that interferes with the use ofa conventional shoulder sling. The invention relates to an improvedfirearm sling and, in particular, to a sling system that facilitatescarrying a firearm when the user is also carrying a backpack.

[0003] In a preferred embodiment, the sling system includes a firststrap system having a loop configuration and positionable around a neckportion of the user so as to be locatable generally adjacent a frontalregion of a torso of the user. A second strap system having first andsecond ends is connectable to the firearm. A connector is provided tointerface between the first and second strap systems and is configuredto enable the rifle to be fixedly and releasably positioned in aplurality of orientations relative to the user.

[0004] In another aspect, the system includes a first strap systemhaving a loop configuration and positionable around the neck of the userso as to be locatable generally adjacent a frontal region of the torsoof the user; a second strap system having first and second endsconnectable to the firearm; and a connector interfacing between thefirst and second straps and configured to enable the firearm to befixedly and releasably positioned in a plurality of orientationsrelative to the user.

[0005] The connector preferably includes a buckle, a strap engagingmember yieldably positionable relative to the buckle, and a releasemember associated with the strap engaging member. The buckle is slidablypositioned on the first strap system and the second strap system isslidably positioned between the buckle and the strap engaging membersuch that a biasing member associated with the strap engaging memberurges the strap engaging member into fixed engagement with the secondstrap system so as to restrain the connector from movement relative tothe second strap system at a desired location thereon. The releasemember is operable, as by the user pulling on it, squeezing, orotherwise manipulating the release member, to release the biasing forceto enable the second strap system to be moved relative to the strapengaging member.

[0006] In yet another aspect, the sling system includes a first strapsystem positionable generally adjacent a frontal region of a torso ofthe user; a second strap system having first and second ends andconnectable to the firearm; and a connector interfacing between thefirst and second strap systems and configured to enable the rifle to befixedly and releasably positioned in a plurality of orientationsrelative to the user.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the first strap system includesconnectors for connecting the first strap system to a backpack having apair of shoulder straps.

[0008] The sling system advantageously enables the firearm to be fixedlyand releasably positioned in a range of orientations between a firstorientation wherein a barrel end of the firearm is pointed generallydownwardly and a second orientation wherein the barrel end of thefirearm is pointed generally upwardly. Thus, the user may desirablyselect an orientation suitable to a particular circumstance.

[0009] The invention also advantageously provides a sling system thatenables a user to comfortably carry a firearm even when wearing abackpack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Further features of preferred embodiments of the invention willbecome apparent by reference to the detailed description of preferredembodiments when considered in conjunction with the figures, which arenot to scale, wherein like reference numbers, indicate like elementsthrough the several views, and wherein,

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a firearm sling system inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention and installed ona firearm.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective frontal view of a user wearing a slingsystem of FIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a user wearing a slingshowing the system of FIG. 1.

[0014]FIGS. 4-6 are closeup perspective views of a connector portion ofthe system of FIG. 1.

[0015]FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a connector portion for a slingsystem according to the invention of FIGS. 4-6.

[0016]FIG. 8 shows a firearm retained in a barrel down orientation bythe system of FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 9 shows a firearm retained in a barrel up orientation by thesystem of FIG. 1.

[0018]FIG. 10 shows a firearm in a firing position.

[0019]FIG. 11 shows a backpack supported by the system of FIG. 1.

[0020]FIG. 12 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention whichattaches to straps of a conventional backpack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] With initial reference to FIG. 1, the invention relates to asling system 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of theinvention. The system 10 is shown attached to a firearm such as rifle 12having a stock 14 and a barrel 16. As will be noted, the rifle 12 alsohas attached to it a conventional shoulder sling 18. The sling 18 mayremain on the rifle 12 when the system 10 is being used or the sling 18may be removed.

[0022] The system 10 includes as major components a user strap 20, afirearm strap 22, and a connector 24. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the userstrap 20 is worn generally around a neck and torso of a user. Thefirearm strap 22 attaches to the rifle 12. The connector 24 interfacesbetween the user strap 20 and the firearm strap 22 to enable desiredpositioning of the rifle 12.

[0023] The user strap 20 maybe of one-piece construction or may havemultiple strap components. The strap 20 may also be of fixed oradjustable dimension. In general, the user strap is preferablyconfigured to provide a loop that is placed over a head of the user andhangs generally adjacent a stomach area of the user. In a preferredconstruction, the user strap 20 includes a pair of padded strap portions26 and 28 and a connecting strap portion 30.

[0024] The strap portion 26 has opposite ends 32 and 34 and ispreferably of adjustable length. The strap portion 28 is of preferablyof identical construction to the strap portion 26 and has opposite ends36 and 38. The ends 34 and 38 of the strap portions 26 and 28 may bejoined together or otherwise secured relative to one another.Preferably, as seen in FIG. 3, a strip of fabric material 40 is used toconnect to ends 34 and 38 as by sewing each end 34 and 38 to thematerial 40.

[0025] The connecting strap portion 30 has opposite ends 42 and 44. Theend 42 is preferably connected to strap portion 26 adjacent ent end 32thereof as by buckle 46. Likewise, end 44 is preferably connected tostrap portion 28 adjacent the end 36 thereof as by buckle 48. Thebuckles 46 and 48 enable adjustment of the effective length of theconnecting strap portion 30, that is, the length that hangs below thestrap portions 26 and 28.

[0026] Returning to FIG. 3, the user strap 20 also preferably includesan anchor strap portion 52 configured for anchoring the user strap 20 toportions of the user's clothing, preferably adjacent a lower area of theuser's spine. The anchor strap portion 52 preferably connects to andextends away from the material 40 and includes an end 54 connected tothe material 40 as by loop 56 and buckle 58 to permit adjustment of theeffective length of the anchor strap portion 52. An opposite end 60 ofthe strap portion 52 is preferably configured for attaching to clothingof the user. For example, end 60 is preferably configured to be Y-shapedand have fasteners such as buttons or clips 62 which may be attached asby clipping to the belt or pants of a user in the manner of suspendersor braces. In the alternative, the end 60 may include belt loops forsliding a belt therethrough.

[0027] The firearm strap 22 is preferably a single length of strapmaterial having opposite ends 64 and 66. The end 66 is preferablysecured adjacent the stock 14 and the end 64 secured adjacent the barrel16. The end 66 preferably includes a plastic or metal hoop 67 (FIG. 2)secured thereto as by sewing. The end 64 of the firearm strap 22 may bepassed through the hoop 67 and the resulting hoop 69 of the firearmstrap 22 encircled about the stock 14.

[0028] The end 64 preferably includes a length of hook material securedthereto as by sewing for matingly engaging the loop material of thefirearm strap 22 and/or a corresponding loop material secured to thefirearm strap 22 and positioned to mate with the loop material toprovide a hook/loop fastener. Thus, the end 64 may be secured to thebarrel 16 as by encircling the end 64 about itself around the barrel 16.As will be appreciated, the firearm strap 22 may be also be attached orconnected to the rifle in many ways and using standard fasteners and thelike.

[0029] The firearm strap 22 is preferably oriented so as to extend overthe upper edge of the rifle 12 to avoid upside down orientation of therifle 12. In this regard, the ends of the firearm strap 22 arepreferably sufficiently loose relative to the stock and the barrel ofthe firearm so as to permit the strap 22 to naturally fall down and tothe side of the firearm when the firearm is raised to a firing positionso as to minimize interference with sighting of the firearm on a target.It will be understood, however, that the firearm strap 22 may beotherwise connected to the rifle. Also, the sling 18 could be used inplace of the firearm strap 22, but such would result in an invertedorientation of the rifle which is not preferred.

[0030] The length of the firearm strap 22 is preferably adjustable. Inthis regard, each end 64 and 66 preferably includes a length of hookmaterial secured thereto as by sewing and the firearm strap 22 made of amaterial having a loop-type surface suitable for matingly engaging thehook material. Thus, the firearm strap 22 may be attached to the rifleby encircling the ends 64 and 66 about the rifle and securing the hookmaterial of the ends to the firearm strap 22. This also facilitatesadjustment of the length of the firearm strap 22.

[0031] It will be understood that the user strap 20 and firearm strap 22are preferably made of materials having strength characteristicscorresponding to the weight of the firearm. For example, relativelyheavier strap materials are preferably used for use with heavy militaryfirearms such M-60 machine guns as compared to a lighter material forsmall caliber and lightweight firearms such as .22 cal. rifles.Likewise, the heat resistance of the strap materials preferablycorresponds to the use requirements. For example, strap materials havinghigher heat resistance is preferable for military weapons such as M-60machine guns which generate considerable barrel heat when used to fire aplurality of rounds in rapid succession, whereas a strap material havinga lower heat resistance would preferably be used for a .22 cal. rifle.

[0032] With reference to FIGS. 4-7, the connector 24 interfaces betweenthe user strap 20 and the firearm strap 22 to enable the rifle 12 to berepositionable in a variety of orientations, and preferably fixedlypositioned within a preferred range. For example, FIG. 2 shows the rifle12 in a generally intermediate orientation with the barrel 12 generallylateral. FIGS. 8 and 9 show the preferred upward and downward limitsrange or positioning, wherein in FIG. 8 the rifle 12 is seen orientedwith the barrel 16 end pointed generally downwardly, and in FIG. 9 therifle 12 is seen oriented with the barrel 16 pointed generally upwardly.The connector 24 preferably functions to substantially but releasablylock the rifle 12 in a selected orientation with the range between andincluding the upward and downward range limits.

[0033] As will be appreciated, this desirably enables the user to orientthe firearm 12 in an unlimited number of positions within this range tofit the comfort or use needs of the user, while rendering the firearm ina position that enables the user to quickly raise the firearm 12 to afiring position, such as seen in FIG. 10. Furthermore, since the firearm12 and the portions of the sling system 10 that are maneuvered duringuse are generally oriented at the front of the user, the user may alsocarry a backpack without interfering with a backpack or the like havingstraps which loop around the user's shoulders. As will be appreciated, aconventional shoulder sling, such as the sling 18, does not readilypermit a user to carry a backpack.

[0034] If desired, a backpack or the like may be attached to the userstrap 20 as by use of conventional fasteners. As seen in FIG. 11, abackpack 68 may be supported by the user strap 20. For example, thebackpack 68 may be snapped or sewn or otherwise fixedly or releasablyattached or connected to the fabric material 40 or the strap portions 26and 28. In one embodiment, connectors 69 are located on the user strap20 for connecting to the backpack 68. The connectors 69 may preferablybe hooks that engage corresponding loops provided on the backpack forsupporting the backpack 68 from the user strap 20.

[0035] Returning to FIGS. 4-7, the connector 24 is preferably made of ametal or plastic material and is provided by a buckle 70 having a body72 defining a pair of slots 74 and 76 for slidably, preferably freelyslidably, receiving the connecting strap portion 30 of the user strap 20adjacent an upper surface 78 thereof. A pair of spaced apart ears 80extend away from an opposite surface 82 (FIG. 7) and receive the ends ofa spring-loaded strap engaging member 84. The firearm strap 22 passesbetween the strap engaging member 84 and the surface 82.

[0036] The member 84 includes an elongate section 86 defining a rugousor textured surface 87 configured to frictionally engage the firearmstrap 22 and having a longitudinal bore 88 extending therethrough forreceiving pin 90 and spring 92 wrapped around the pin 90. One end of thespring 92 is positioned around one of the ears 80 when installed. Theopposite ends of the pin 90 are received by apertures 94 providedthrough the ears 80. A lever tab 96 extends from the elongate section 86and includes an aperture 98 for receiving a release strap 100. Thespring 92 or other biasing mechanism may be adjustable if desired, is byconfiguring the pin 90 to be turned.

[0037] The member 84 is biased to rotate the rugous surface 87 of themember 84 toward the surface 82 to bear against the firearm strap 22, asseen in FIG. 5. The spring 92 or other biasing mechanism is preferablyof sufficient strength such that the firearm strap 22 is effectivelycaptured by the member 84 so as to lock the firearm strap 22 in placeand thereby prevent relative movement of the firearm strap 22 in eitherdirection. The surface 87 of the member 84 may be released from lockingengagement with the firearm strap 22 as by pulling or otherwiseinteracting or manipulating the release strap 100 to counter the springforce and urge the surface 87 away from engagement with the strap, asseen in FIG. 6. It will be understand that release members may be usedthat are otherwise manipulated to release them from engagement with thefirearm strap 22, such as by squeezing or other manipulation by theuser.

[0038] While the foregoing described buckle 70 is a preferred mechanismfor the connector 24, it will be understood that a variety of buckles,slides, and the like having various configurations may be utilized forthe connector 24. In this regard, it is noted that the connector 24preferably includes as its basic elements structure configured toslidably, preferably freely slidably, receive a portion of the userstrap 20, and structure configured to receive and releasably lock thefirearm strap 22 in a plurality of desired orientations therebypreventing relative movement of the firearm strap 22 in eitherdirection. This serves to position the firearm 12 in a desiredorientation, such as shown in FIGS. 2, 8, and 9, while still enablingthe firearm 12 to be easily moved a firing position, such as shown inFIG. 10.

[0039] With reference now to FIG. 12, there is seen an alternateembodiment of a sling system 110 that is configured to attach toshoulder straps 112 and 114 of a backpack 116. The system 110 includes auser strap 120, firearm strap 122, and a connector 124. The firearmstrap 122 preferably substantially corresponds to the firearm strap 22,and the connector 124 preferably substantially corresponds to theconnector 24.

[0040] The user strap 120 may be made of one or more lengths of a strapmaterial, such as the strap portions 26, 28, and 30 describedpreviously, and includes opposite free ends 126 and 128. The free ends126 and 128 include connectors 310 and 132 secured thereto as bystitches or the like for connecting the free ends 126 and 128 to thestraps 112 and 114 of the backpack 116. The connectors 120 and 132preferably enable releasable and adjustable connection of the strap 120to the straps 112 and 114 and may preferably be buckles, snaps, or otherfastening devices. Alternatively, the free ends 126 and 128 may beattached directly to the straps 112 and 114 as by stitches or the like.

[0041] The foregoing description of certain exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention has been provided for purposes of illustration only,and it is understood that numerous modifications or alterations may bemade in and to the illustrated embodiments without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sling system for use with a firearm by a humanuser having a neck and a torso, the system comprising: a first strapsystem having a loop configuration and positionable around the neck ofthe user so as to be locatable generally adjacent a frontal region ofthe torso of the user; a second strap system having first and secondends and connectable to the firearm; and a connector interfacing betweenthe first and second straps and configured to enable the firearm to befixedly and releasably positioned in a plurality of orientationsrelative to the user, the connector including a buckle, a strap engagingmember yieldably positionable relative to the buckle, and a releasemember associated with the strap engaging member, wherein the buckle isslidably positioned on the first strap system and the second strapsystem is slidably positioned between the buckle and the strap engagingmember such that a biasing member associated with the strap engagingmember urges the strap engaging member into fixed engagement with thesecond strap system so as to restrain the connector from movementrelative to the second strap system at a desired location thereon, withthe release member being operable to release the biasing force to enablethe second strap system to be moved relative to the strap engagingmember.
 2. The sling system of claim 1, further comprising an anchorstrap portion that connects to the first strap system and is configuredfor anchoring the first strap system to a portion of the user's clothingadjacent a lower spine area of the user.
 3. The sling system of claim 1,wherein the first strap system comprises a pair of strap portions and aconnecting strap portion having opposite ends adjustably positionablerelative to the pair of strap portions.
 4. The sling system of claim 1,wherein the second strap system comprises a strap having a first endattachable to a stock portion of the firearm and a second end attachableto a barrel portion of the firearm.
 5. The sling system of claim 1,wherein the plurality of orientations the connector is configured toenable the firearm to be fixedly and releasably positioned comprises arange of orientations between and including a first orientation whereina barrel end of the firearm is pointed generally downwardly, and asecond orientation wherein the barrel end is pointed generally upwardly.6. A sling system for use with a firearm by a human user having a neckand a torso, the system comprising a user strap having a loopconfiguration and positionable around the neck of the user so as to belocatable generally adjacent a frontal region of the torso of the user;a firearm strap system having first and second ends and connectable tothe firearm; and a connector interfacing between the user strap andfirearm strap and configured to enable the firearm to be fixedly andreleasably positioned in a plurality of orientations relative to theuser, the connector including a user strap receiving region configuredto slidably receive a portion of the user strap and a firearm strapregion configured to receive and releasably lock the firearm strap in aplurality of desired orientations thereby preventing relative movementof the firearm strap in either direction.
 7. The sling system of claim6, further comprising an anchor strap portion that connects to the userstrap and is configured for anchoring the user strap to a portion of theuser's clothing adjacent a lower spine area of the user.
 8. The slingsystem of claim 6, wherein the user strap comprises a pair of strapportions and a connecting strap portion having opposite ends adjustablypositionable relative to the pair of strap portions.
 9. The sling systemof claim 6, wherein the firearm strap comprises a strap having a firstend attachable to a stock portion of the firearm and a second endattachable to a barrel portion of the firearm.
 10. The sling system ofclaim 6, wherein the plurality of orientations the connector isconfigured to enable the firearm to be fixedly and releasably positionedcomprises a range of orientations between and including a firstorientation wherein a barrel end of the firearm is pointed generallydownwardly, and a second orientation wherein the barrel end is pointedgenerally upwardly.
 11. A sling system for use with a firearm, thesystem comprising a first strap system having a loop configuration andpositionable around a neck portion of the user so as to be locatablegenerally adjacent a frontal region of a torso of the user; a secondstrap system having first and second ends and connectable to thefirearm; and a connector interfacing between the first and second strapsystems and configured to enable the rifle to be fixedly and releasablypositioned in a plurality of orientations relative to the user.
 12. Thesling system of claim 11, further comprising an anchor strap portionthat connects to the first strap system and is configured for anchoringthe first strap system to a portion of the user's clothing adjacent alower spine area of the user.
 13. The sling system of claim 11, whereinthe first strap system comprises a pair of strap portions and aconnecting strap portion having opposite ends adjustably positionablerelative to the pair of strap portions.
 14. The sling system of claim11, wherein the second strap system comprises a strap having a first endattachable to a stock portion of the firearm and a second end attachableto a barrel portion of the firearm.
 15. The sling system of claim 11,wherein the plurality of orientations the connector is configured toenable the firearm to be fixedly and releasably positioned comprises arange of orientations between and including a first orientation whereina barrel end of the firearm is pointed generally downwardly, and asecond orientation wherein the barrel end is pointed generally upwardly.16. The sling system of claim 11, further comprising a backpacksupported by the first strap system.
 17. A sling system for use with afirearm, the system comprising a first strap system positionablegenerally adjacent a frontal region of a torso of the user; a secondstrap system having first and second ends and connectable to thefirearm; and a connector interfacing between the first and second strapsystems and configured to enable the rifle to be fixedly and releasablypositioned in a plurality of orientations relative to the user.
 18. Thesling system of claim 17, further comprising a backpack having a pair ofshoulder straps, wherein the first strap system is connectable to theshoulder straps of the backpack.
 19. The sling system of claim 18,wherein the first strap system comprises a pair of strap portions havingfree ends and a connector located at each free end for connecting to theshould straps of the backpack.
 20. The sling system of claim 17, whereinthe second strap system comprises a strap having a first end attachableto a stock portion of the firearm and a second end attachable to abarrel portion of the firearm.
 21. The sling system of claim 17, whereinthe plurality of orientations the connector is configured to enable thefirearm to be fixedly and releasably positioned comprises a range oforientations between and including a first orientation wherein a barrelend of the firearm is pointed generally downwardly, and a secondorientation wherein the barrel end is pointed generally upwardly.